Joan "Jo" L. Demong

On Thursday, April 5, 2012, Joan L. 'Jo' (Heck) DeMong, traveled on to her next adventure. She left, in her home, surrounded in a circle of love by her daughter, Melissa (Stuart) DeMong-Shafer of DeWitt, Mich.; sons, Michael J. DeMong and Mark A. DeMong, both of Freeport; close friend and companion, Brenetta Hall of Freeport; and special friend, Liz Wilson of Argyle, Wis. Joan is now doing the Jitterbug in heaven with her beloved husband, Donald J. 'Mo' DeMong, who predeceased her on February 17, 2011. They were married at St. Joseph'™s Catholic Church on December 26, 1954, in the first Catholic ceremony to be performed in English after Vatican II. She is predeceased by her parents, Louis and Evelyn (Streicher) Heck of Freeport; brother, James A. Heck of Kenosha, Wis.; nephew, Edward Heck of Minnetonka, Minn.; infant son, Izzy; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Don and Joan lived in Lyons, Ill. for three years, and then resided in Freeport until their departure. Joan graduated from Aquin High School in 1951. In June of 1951, she was crowned Freeport Dairy Belle. In December of 1954, Joan was bestowed the honor of Bride of the Year by LaVelle Photography Studio. She attended St. Mary'™s School of Nursing in Madison, Wis., beginning in 1951. The radical side of Joan was a founding member of CROSS-Concerned Residents of Stephenson Street. The glutton-for-punishment Joan was a catalyst for the Aquin fundraiser, FACES (now the Aquin Extravaganza), the Bids for Bulldogs Auction, as well as a Brownie Troop leader, carpooler, member of the Freeport Garden Club, deliverer of many litters of puppies, synchronized swimmer, and kisser of all boo-boos. She and her family enjoyed their fishing vacations in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation at the Burke Tubbs Funeral Home, 504 N. Walnut Street, in Freeport, Ill., on Monday, April 9, from 4-8 p.m., with a rosary at 6 p.m., and 10-11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with a mass to follow. Joan will be remembered as a cook extraordinaire (well known for her soups whenever anyone was in need), her twinkling blue eyes, and her quick wit. The family would like to express their love and appreciation to the people at Monroe Hospice, Sherri, Zo Anne and Darcy for all they have done for us. You will be forever in our hearts. Donations may be made to the Monroe Hospice Clinic, 515 22nd Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566; the DeMong Memorial Fund, Union Savings Bank, 223 West Stephenson Street, Freeport, IL 61032 (to be used for local charity donations); or to a charity of your choice.